ES2227546T3 - MIXING VALVE MONOMANDO WITH PERFECTED BALL VALVE. - Google Patents

Abstract

A MIXING VALVE (10) HAS A CONTROL VARTAGE (42) TO ADJUST THE MOBILE SPHER VALVE (24) TO CONTROL THE FLOW SPEED AND MIXED WATER TEMPERATURE MIXING. THE SPHERICAL VALVE HAS A PAIR OF SLOTS (60) AND A ROD (64) THAT EXTENDS THROUGH THE SLOTS (60) OF THE SPHERICAL VALVE (24). THE VASTAGO (42) HAS A CLAMP (80) THAT EXTENDS INSIDE THE SPHERICAL VALVE AND TIGHTENES AGAINST THE ROD (64). THE ROD (64) IS ARTICULATED IN A CARTRIDGE (56) IN A WAY THAT THE SPHERE IS VERTICALLY FIXED TO THE CARTRIDGE (56) AND IS PREVENTED FROM FALLING OUT OF THE OPEN END OF THE BACKGROUND (92) OF THE CARTRIDGE.

Description

Single lever mixing valve with ball valve perfected

Technical field

The field of this invention is related to a mixer valve for taps and more particularly to a ball valve cartridge for a mixing valve.

Description Background

Single lever faucets, commonly called Mixing valves, which control the flow of both water hot as cold water, have wide acceptance among consumers. The taps are normally manufactured so that a lever or steering wheel can move in two different directions to graduate the mixture of cold and hot water and to adjust the volume supplied, ie the flow rate.

The two basic types of mixing valves that they have had the greatest commercial acceptance are disc valves and ball valves. The ball valves have a Compact and reliable construction that is durable. The valves disc have a drive mechanism that can Easily packaged in cartridge form.

Known cartridges for disc valves the mobile disk and the fixed valve disk are encapsulated. The cartridge can be easily disassembled and replaced by another, which facilitates the repair of the tap. Once the step is cut of the water, the tap is simply opened and the cartridge. This type of repair can be performed without need of going to an expert.

While the valves for a long time disk adopted the cartridge format, so far it has not been possible to build ball valves in the form of a cartridge. exist various difficulties for the commercial development of cartridges for ball valves. First, the floating nature of the  traditional ball valve demanded that any cartridge had that completely surround and capture the ball valve, because of not be like that the ball valve simply fell down the bottom of the cartridge. Second, the relative size between the valve ball and tap body leaves little room for the inclusion of a cartridge. The introduction of traditional surrounding cartridges and capture the ball in the tap body demands that the body have a higher height to accept the inclusion of the cartridge.

In addition, traditional cartridges prevent repair of worn elastomeric seals. The cartridge it houses both the moving element of the valve and the holes Fixed valves, which usually include seals elastomeric Since the boards are enclosed in the cartridge, the entire cartridge is replaced, which means replacing many cartridge components that are in good condition and still They have a long service life. However the desire to reduce the spending is overcome by the need to simplify the work of the repair. In addition, many cartridges have an assembly permanent and cannot be disarmed.

Even when the cartridges can be disassembled, the advantage of the cartridge disappears when disassembled All the pieces that make up the same. The mobile element of the valve comes out, and often does not reassemble with orientation correct. This assembly defect can easily occur in the case of disc valves and ball valves, which are inherently symmetric It takes an expert person and knowledgeable to prevent incorrect mounting of certain valves Ball in a cartridge.

Lately, ball valves have been designed whose lever can be operated the same as type mixing valves Commercially accepted disk. Some of these valves ball type mixers require the introduction of another moving part in the form of a rotating disk that is mounted on the element of ball valve. One of these ball valves is described in the U.S. Patent No. 4,449,551, issued to Lorch on December 22 May 1984

Another ball construction that mimics movement desirable lever of disc valves commercially popular is described in my PCT publication WO 92/22765, published on December 23, 1992, which incorporates a pin horizontal extending through the ball valve to place the ball in the body. This construction virtually eliminates the floating or fluffy sensation when the tap is operated ball valve.

The movement of the lever provided by the taps of the two descriptions mentioned above is substantially the same. The construction of the ball valve allows an orbital movement of the lever around an axis Fixed longitudinal valve body and a movement tilting, that is to say pivoting, on a mobile horizontal axis with with respect to the valve body. The horizontal axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the valve body and is attached to the lever so that it moves over the body when the lever rotates on the fixed longitudinal axis. The characteristic that distinguishes this type of lever movement is that when pivot the lever to the closed position, the desired ratio of the mixture of hot and cold water can be remembered by the position of the lever, so that when the tap, the mixture of hot and cold water is the same.

My recent PCT publication WO 94/13985, published on June 23, 1994, describes an improved cartridge for a ball valve that also mimics the movement of the most disc valve faucets, that is the movement orbital on a fixed vertical axis and the tilting movement on A mobile horizontal axis. PCT Publication WO 94/13985 is incorporated here by reference as to its description of the construction of this refined cartridge.

Moreover, in certain situations they can be desirable other alternative types of drive mechanisms of ball. These alternative types of drive mechanisms of ball have the fixed rotation axis perpendicular to the axis longitudinal of the tap body, that is horizontal in many sink faucets. A ball valve drive mechanism it has a moving axis that is fixed with respect to the ball and is substantially perpendicular to the fixed horizontal axis. The movable axis of rotation can pivot in a vertical plane on the fixed axis with ball movement and centered on a horizontal position. An example of this type of drive mechanism is described  ball in US Patent 3,056,418, issued to Adams and others on October 8, 1962. Another mechanism of ball drive that has fixed and mobile axes in position Reverse to the description of Adams. An example of this is described type of ball drive mechanism in the Patent U.S. 2,592,062, granted to Perry on April 8, 1952

Another type of drive mechanism ball valve has the moving shaft substantially perpendicular to the fixed transverse axis and substantially aligned with the stem of control. This type of drive mechanism is described in US Patent 3,417,783, granted to Manoogian on the 24th of December 1968

The aforementioned alternative types of constructions of ball valves have certain properties that either increase the cost of maintenance or require more maintenance frequent. In particular, the ball valve element is mounted between elastomeric seals placed around the inlet holes of the valve body and a gasket tightness mounted under the valve cover or cap. The elastomeric seals of the holes and the joint are soft and communicate to the ball valve element a characteristic of flotation between the body and the valve cap. Does not exist no locking or centering mechanism that firmly holds the ball valve in vertical direction. Since the ball valve can move translationally against the elements elastomeric, the user who operates the lever can also move it slightly in any direction, including addresses not provided in the design of the mixing valve. This unplanned movement may give an undesirable spongy feeling to tap operation and user uncertainty with regarding the proper functioning of the tap. In addition, the touch spongy lever gives the impression that it is unstable and It is not mounted correctly.

The upper seal of the commercially available ball valve constructions It provides three functions. First, it prevents leaks from Water around the ball. Second, its outer periphery leans tightly on the inner surface of the body avoiding leaks. Third, the board pushes elastically down to the ball against the entrance seals, overcoming the water pressure exerted on it. Accordingly the board It is a large and expensive component. To achieve a functioning soft, the elastomeric seal usually has a thin layer of tetrafluoroethylene which in contact with the valve ball produces less friction than direct contact between the elastomeric material and the ball element.

To decrease the feeling of flotation, many mixing valves with ball valves have a built-in regulation ring The regulation ring is screwed into the valve cover adjustable. The regulation ring compress the sealing gasket down against the element of ball valve. The compression increase of the board tightness over the ball valve element deduces the Undesirable spongy movement but does not eliminate it. Besides, the combination of the regulation ring with the known joint increases the cost and complexity of the mixing valve. The greatest pressure exerted on the sealing gasket wears the seal. When increases wear and tear, it is necessary to adjust repeatedly the regulation ring to restore a pressure on the joint that provides a tightness as well as a resistance of the faucet drive lever that holds the lever in a stable position and prevent the forces of gravity acting on the tap lever make it move unintentionally

In addition, these alternative types of mechanisms of ball valve drive could not be installed advantageously in cartridge assemblies for various reasons. A reason is that a mechanism has not yet been developed that properly pack the ball into a size cartridge adequate and at the same time retain the ability to swing the ball over The two axes required. In addition, no ball valve cartridge that limits compression pressure on the upper seal, located between the ball and the cartridge, to ensure that the ball does not exert a force destructive on the board.

What is needed is a valve construction ball to accommodate all different types of mechanisms ball valve in a cartridge for a mixing valve in the which sits the ball valve functionally. What also What is needed is a cartridge for a ball valve that provides an upper sealing gasket element that prevents leaks towards the outside of the body and serve as a seat for an element of ball valve, but allowing access to seals elastomers surrounding the entrance holes.

Description Summary

According to the present invention, a ball valve element, a cartridge and a mixing valve for a tap as defined in the appended claims.

In one embodiment, the ball valve is pivotally mounted on a cartridge body. The valve mixer has a cavity sized to accommodate the body of the cartridge. The cartridge has a lower opening through which said ball valve element protrudes to cooperate with the inlet holes, so that the ball valve element rests directly on elastomeric seals of the input holes housed at the end of the holes in entrance located downstream. The stirrup provides support on the pin that prevents the ball from going undesirably through the lower opening of the cartridge or vibrating inside it.

According to another aspect of the invention, the valve mixer tap has a valve element mounted from mobile way on a cartridge body that is housed in a cavity of a tap body. The body has a plurality of inlet holes and outlet outlet communicated fluidly with the cavity. The ball valve element according to described above protrudes through a lower opening of the cartridge to cooperate with the entry holes. The pin that extends through the groove of the ball is mounted on the cartridge so that it cannot slide laterally. Stirrup is attached to an upper section of the ball valve and is extend to rest on the pin to provide support that prevents the ball from going out through the lower opening of said ball cartridge or vibrate inside it.

In one embodiment, a seal is seated tightly around said upper opening of said cartridge body and hermetically supported on the element of mobile ball valve. The cartridge body has a tab hanging interposed between said upper opening and the seat of board. The tab is very close to the ball valve and provides a stop for the upward movement of the valve ball against the board in order to control the maximum degree of joint compression.

Preferably, the stirrup element has a end that includes a dihedral that rests on the pin and some lateral flanges that rest on the sides diametrically opposite of the pin. The pin extends to the center of said inside of said ball valve and the stirrup supports against the  pin approximately in the center of the pin. In a embodiment, the contact of the stirrup with the pin is slightly separated from the center of the ball so that, at swing the ball valve on an axis perpendicular to the pin, from an intermediate position of the stem to a lateral position  of the same, the stirrup pushes the ball up in relation to the pin to continue pushing the ball against the board of tightness and compress the gasket between the ball valve and the cartridge.

Preferably, the ball has a second groove. arched diametrically opposite to said first groove. The pin crosses both first and second slots and settles down both ends on the body of the cartridge or on the body of the tap. He pin preferably has circular section, to provide a relative rotation of the ball on the pin axis.

In one embodiment, the grooves are profiled. so that they form on the ball valve a maximum circle that defines a plane that is close to a distant end of the lever attached to the control rod. The plane has an axis normal perpendicular to the pin, so that the ball valve it can move in two directions, being one of the directions around the normal axis and being the second direction around of the pin shaft.

In another embodiment, the grooves are found over a maximum circle that defines a plane normal to the stem of control, so that the ball valve can move in two directions, being one of the directions around an axis longitudinal of the stem and being a second direction around of the pin shaft.

In one embodiment, the stirrup element is a extension of the control rod that penetrates the ball valve. In another embodiment, the stirrup element is an element independent that can rotate with respect to the control rod and which has the dihedral angle and side flanges and that rotates until properly oriented so that the pin can enter between the side flanges when the pin is mounted on the ball valve.

Inside the ball valve can accommodate a anti-siphon valve that sits around the stapes. The anti-siphon valve is communicated with the atmosphere at through an opening made in an upper section of the ball valve.

According to the general aspect of the invention, a mixing valve has a cartridge with a ball valve that It is crossed by a slot. There is a bump translationally fixed on the cartridge that extends through of the groove of the ball. A support extends from the bulge and penetrates into a hollow inner section of the ball to rest on an upper section of the ball valve to provide a support that prevents the ball from coming out of the bottom opening of the cartridge.

According to another aspect of the invention, a valve ball for a tap includes a surface that has a first arched groove that crosses it substantially through a circle maximum of said ball valve. A stirrup is attached over an upper section of said ball valve and extends to lean on a pin that can extend through the ball slot The ball can rotate on a pin axis.

Brief description of the drawings

Reference is made below to the drawings attachments, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation view and partially sectioned from a mixer valve for taps, according to an embodiment of the invention, illustrating the tap in closed position;

Figure 2 is a perspective view exploded from the mixing valve shown in Figure one;

Figure 3 is a view of the cartridge element partially sectioned by line 3-3 of the Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a partial section view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3 which also illustrates the cartridge assembly;

Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view and partially sectioned ball valve and pin represented in Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3 illustrating the movement of the ball valve to vary the mix temperature;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 3 illustrating another modification of the pin, rod and stapes;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 3 illustrating a modification of the stirrup element and the stem;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 5 illustrating the ball valve and collar represented in the Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 3 illustrating an embodiment of the invention that provides a movement of the ball different from that shown in Figure 3;

Figure 11 is a partial sectional view taken along line 11-11 of Figure 10 better illustrating the cartridge assembly;

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 5 illustrating the ball valve and pin represented in the Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a view showing a modification of the ball valve that incorporates a valve antisiphon; Y

Figure 14 is a view of an embodiment alternative that incorporates a anti-siphon valve.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

Referring to the Figures 1-5, a mixing valve 10 has a body conventional valve 14 which is formed by a base element 14 of the body and a cover assembly 16. The base element 14 has formed a cavity 22 with a bottom surface 21 substantially hemispherical. Two input holes 18 and 19 for hot and cold water have its downstream end reamed on the bottom surface 21 to form a seat for two springs of thrust 23 that push elastomeric sealing elements 25 against a ball valve element 24 housed in a cartridge 26. An outlet duct 20 extends from the surface bottom 21 and crosses a cylindrical side wall 27 leading mixed water from cavity 22.

A conventional tubular body 17 is mounted tightly and slidingly around the base element bottom 14 and forms an annular chamber 15 fluidly communicated with the outlet duct 20. A pipe 29 is attached to the body and fluidly communicated with the annular chamber 15 through the opening 13 of the body 17. The cover assembly 16 includes a threaded element 37 mounted on the base element 14. On the element 37 a bezel 11 can be placed.

The ball valve element 24 has a surface 31 of the substantially spherical valve that is crossed by a cold water inlet opening 32, a hot water inlet opening 34 and an opening 36 of Exit, properly trained and located. Surface shape 31 substantially complements the concave surface shape bottom 21 of the cavity 22. The openings 32 and 34 cooperate with the respective entry holes 18 and 19 and the opening 36 of outlet is fluidly connected to outlet duct 20 to regulate the ratio of the water mixture and the flow rate, that is, the total volume of water per unit of time that passes from two inlet holes 18 and 19 to the outlet duct 20.

The cover assembly 16 is crossed by a control opening 40. The cover 16 is positioned so that the longitudinal axis 28 of the valve body 12 pass through the control opening 40. Cartridge 26 includes an element of body 56 having an upper opening 58 aligned under the opening 40.

A control rod 42 is firmly attached to the ball valve element 24. Control rod 42 is extends through the control opening 40. The stem of control 42 is constructed to be conventionally attached to a lever 43 of the tap.

The ball valve element 24 is mounted of pivoting mode on the body element 56 of the cartridge. He body element 56 may be made of a material of Known plastic that is suitable for faucets. The element of ball valve 24 also has a pair of slots 60 diametrically opposed and located on surface 31 of the ball valve 24. The slots 30 have a longitudinal axis that It is part of a maximum circle of the ball valve. The circle maximum is on a plane 73 towards the end distant 63 of lever 43. Plane 73 is orthogonal with respect to mobile rotation axis 68 that adjusts the mixing temperature of the valve.

A cylindrical shaft or pin 64 extends to through the ball and through both slots 60. Pin 64 it has its opposite ends 66 pivotally housed in about holes 67 of the body element 56 of the cartridge. Pin 64 is located so that it passes through the center 84 of the valve ball 24 and is perpendicular to the control rod 42. The pin 64 and the slots 60 are sized to fit sliding, allowing limited rotation on axis 68, and so that the pin can rotate on the fixed axis 75, but preventing any significant rotation of the ball valve with respect to the pin in the direction of the groove width.

The ends 74 of the slots 60 are shaped semicircular and constitute stops for pin 64. The slots 64 have a width with a tolerance that only it allows the sliding movement of the stem 64 in the slot 60. It is desirable that there is no lateral separation between the grooves 60 and pin 64.

The ball valve element 24 has a lower section 90 of the protruding valve surface 31 by the large open lower end 92 of the body 56 of the cartridge. The outgoing section 90 constitutes a significant part of the ball. Approximately the lower half of the spherical surface 31 of the valve protrudes at all times through the lower opening 92 of the cartridge, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3. The surface 31 of the valve, with openings 32, 34 and 36, is functionally supported on the sealing elements 25 pushed by springs.

The upper section 99 of the ball element 24 it is housed in the inner chamber 101 of the body 56 of the cartridge, defined in part by the inner cylindrical hanging wall 103. The inner chamber 101 is fluidly communicated with cavity 22 of the valve body 12.

The ball valve element 24 is retained in the correct vertical position in relation to the body of the cartridge by an internal stirrup 80 which constitutes an extension integral of the control rod 42. The parts of the stirrup 80 and the stem 42 attached to upper section 99 of the ball valve They are fixed by welding. The stirrup can have a shoulder 81 so that it is properly placed on the ball. Stirrup 80 extends towards the center 84 of the ball valve 24 and rests on pin 64. Thus, the ball along with its grooves 60 cannot fall from its correct vertical position. The bottom of stirrup has a dihedral end 82 located so that the edge 83 is transverse to axis 75 of pin 64. In addition, two flanges sides 86 ride on the pin and extend below the same to maintain the alignment of the pin with the stirrup.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the seat 94 for the annular gasket is located around the opening upper 58 and facing the ball element 24 placed in the chamber 101. The seat 94 for the joint is inclined with its inner periphery 95 located above its outer periphery 96. A descending shoulder or collar 97 hangs vertically by the inner periphery and is very close to the section upper 99 ball valve, allowing tolerances of manufacturing and a slight degree of elevation control as will explain later. An annular seal 98 is mounted on the body 56 of the cartridge, resting on the seat 94 and twisted so that it is prestressed with its inner periphery 100 located higher than its outer periphery 102. The gasket of ring seal 98 has two peripheral sections of lips rounded, ie vertices 104, 106, 108 and 109. Each vertex 104, 106, 108 and 109 is separated approximately 90 ° from adjacent vertex with respect to the annular shaft 105 of the joint. The vertices 104 and 108 are opposite approximately 180 ° and the vertices 106 and 109 are similarly separated by 180 °. He vertex 104 located in the lower position and diametrically internal of the joint rests on the valve element 24 and Provides a tight seal against water leaks. The vertices upper 106 and 108 respectively located in the diameter internal and external support on the inclined seat 94, being located vertex 106 of the internal diameter above the vertex 108 of the outer diameter, as clearly shown in Figure 3. The upper section 99 of the surface 31 of the supporting ball on the sealing ring 98 is polished with a degree suitable to allow a correct seal with the joint.

With this waterproof construction, any pressure of the water inside the chamber 101 defined in the body 56 of the cartridge acts on both the sealing surface lower 107, located between vertices 104 and 109, as on the outer periphery 102, located between vertices 108 and 109 of the cross section of the joint 98. The pressure acting on the lower surface 107, located between vertices 104 and 109, it tends only to keep the joint 98 effectively supported on the seat 94, around the shoulder 97, so that it is not ejected accidentally even if the pressure increases abnormally. The pressure acting on the outer periphery 102, located between the  vertices 108 and 109 of the cross section of the joint 94, tend to deform the latter, pushing vertex 104 to make a pressure contact on the ball valve element 24. This contact pressure of vertex 104 increases when the pressure in chamber 101 and therefore maintains an effective grip when the pressure rises, but without maintaining a high value, unhelpful, when the pressure in chamber 101 is low or void

A standard and economical joint can be used, made of a commercially available elastomeric material, and still thus a lower resistance exerted on the element of ball valve when it works. The board also has less wear and less breakage. The vertex 109 of the joint 98 is separated from the side wall 103 of the cartridge body 56, of so that the pressure in the chamber 101 of the cartridge can act on the outer periphery 102 of the joint 98, which found between vertices 108 and 109. The separation is obtained placing the gasket 98 in an inclined position thanks to the seat inclination 94.

Other watertight constructions are possible. like a simple O-ring or a lip seal. Board not it has to be built to withstand severe compression due to threads or pieces tight together, since the collar 97 constitutes an upper limit that controls the increase in pressure exerted on the joint between ball 24 and body 56 of the cartridge.

The outer periphery 110 of the body 56 of the cartridge has an annular groove 111 in which a gasket sits O-ring 112. O-ring 112 is sized to seal the outer periphery 110 of the cartridge with the cavity 22 of the element of lower body 14 of body 12.

The inclination of the control rod 42 on the fixed pin axis 75 swings the ball valve element 24 on pivot shaft 75 regardless of the position of rotation of the ball valve element on the moving shaft 68. The edge 83 of the stirrup is limited to turning on the pin. Alternatively, the edge can rotate with the pin if the pin It is built to rotate also, as described in continuation. In addition, opposite ends 66 of pin 64 they can slide through slots 60 so that the element of ball valve 24 can rotate on axis 68 when the distant end 63 of the lever on the axis 68. In this action illustrated in Figure 6, the stirrup has the dihedral end 82 turned on the center 84 of the ball. Rotation from position of central mix (represented by dashed line) either towards the illustrated cold position or towards the hot position (on the side opposite) provides a slight lift of the compressing ball further sealing gasket 98 and provides greater joint compression. Higher compression slightly increases the static friction between the ball valve and the body element of the cartridge at a time when the torque exerted by the weight of the lever 43 located on the rod 42 increases in the taps of washbasin as shown in Figures 1 and 6. Therefore, in these positions an increase in friction is desirable for compensate for increased torque due to lever weight and prevent thus the undesirable fall of the lever due to gravity.

The rotation of the ball valve element 24 on axis 68 is limited by stops 64 of slots 60 which stop pin 64. Mixing valves for different applications may have different angles of rotation set by the length of slots 60, that is, by position circumferential of the stops 74. The rotation of the valve element of ball 24, as illustrated, graduates the ratio of the mixture and by So the mixed water outlet temperature.

Alternatively to stops 74, or in addition to same, the rotation of the ball on axes 68 and 75 can also be limited by a radial edge 85 of the upper opening 58 of the body element 56 of the cartridge.

The cartridge is mounted with seals 98 and 112 properly settled. Next the element of ball valve 24 on gasket 98 and is lightly pressed to compress the seal 98. Then the pin 64 is inserted through the Slots 60 and placed between flanges 86. The thrust of the joint 98  on the ball 24 provides a friction fit of the pin 64 with the dihedral end 82 that prevents pin 64 from getting out before mounting on the body 12 of the tap. The cartridge 26 assembly is a self-contained set that can be sold independently as a spare part for later installation in mixer tap valve 10.

The assembled cartridge 26 is placed in the cavity 22 of body 14 of the tap. Slot 71 properly positions the cartridge 26 with the lug 72 in the cavity, and the flange 130 position the cartridge 26 vertically on a corresponding flange 132 of the base element 14. Then the cover 16 on the vertical flange 70 to press down the cartridge 26 against flange 132.

The minimum tolerance between pin 64 and the stirrup 80 in vertical direction prevents vertical displacement undesirable of the ball valve element 24 with respect to the body 12 of the valve and body 56 of the cartridge. The ball is left caught between stirrup 80, pin 64 and collar 97. In consequently, the control rod has no instability or a spongy touch for the user when the ball pivots in its two prescribed pivoting directions.

Referring to Figure 7, they may exist situations in which you don't want or don't need the ball to lift from intermediate position when moving towards hot or cold positions as described in Figure 6. In this situation, it is easy to modify the pin and the stirrup to Remove this elevation. In this embodiment, pin 64 has a central notch 161 that provides an aligned surface 162 with the diameter of the pin and therefore with the center 84 of the ball. Stirrup 80 is longer so that its dihedral end 82 have the edge 83 cutting the center 84 of the ball. In this construction, the dihedral edge 83 pivots at the center 84 of the ball 24 and therefore no hoist of the ball occurs. To the same as the embodiments represented in the Figures 1-8, this embodiment provides the same ball movement described above to adjust the flow rate or The temperature of the mixture. For ease of installation, the notch 161 is long enough for the dihedral end 82 can enter the notch after inserting the pin into a opening 67 but before the end of the pin is installed in the opposite opening 67 of the cartridge. In this realization, during flow settings, the stem 42 makes turn pin 64 in openings 67 of the cartridge on the shaft fixed 75.

Other stirrup constructions are possible without affect the operation of the tap. As seen in the Figures 8 and 9, the stirrup can be a collar element 180 independent that has a recess 181 in which it is housed the rod 42 is rotatably. The rod 42 is welded so conventional to the ball by upper section 99 and has a extension 189 that rotatably adjusts in recess 181. The stirrup 180 is aligned in the correct rotated position when Insert pin 64 through it. To promote the self-alignment, flanges 186 may be flared for facilitate simple pin capture during installation when this is introduced in the ball valve 24. The element 180 may be made of plastic or an elastomeric material that give the stirrup a certain degree of elasticity when Turn the ball, as shown in Figure 8.

The invention can also be adapted to different types of ball valves that have alternative movements to adjust the temperature of the mixture or the volumetric flow rate. As illustrated in Figure 10-12, a valve ball 124 has a construction similar to the ball valve described above, except that slots 260 are aligned so that they are transverse to rod 242 and stirrup 280. With this construction, the temperature of the mixture is graduated turning the rod 42 on its own axis 268. The volume is graduated by tilting the rod on the pin 275 axis, which found in the purely longitudinal direction of the tap. This type of ball movement may be desirable when used a lever 243 of the knob type, such as a glass knob. In this embodiment, the control rod 242 no longer has to be a stem with a specific rhombus shape that rests on the edges 285 of opening 215, as necessarily happens in the prior art On the contrary, the tops of the mixture can be constituted by the ends 274 of the grooves 160. Of this form, the need for rotational positioning is eliminated requires a non-round stem over the ball valve to provide the tops of the mixture.

Stirrup 280 of this embodiment has a 282 flat end. Stirrup 280 does not need a dihedral angle, since it does not swing along axis 275 of the pin but only around it. In addition, since stirrup 280 rotates on its own axis with respect to pin 64, the flanges 86.

The body 256 of the cartridge is similar to that described previously, the only difference being the shape of the opening 215. Since the rod 42 swings only on the plane longitudinally, the opening 258 may have the shape of a groove that allows the rod 42 to swing inside it and rotate on its own axis. Inputs 232, 234 and output 236 also are properly trained and positioned to cooperate with the complementary holes of a valve body. These holes may be substantially different from holes 32, 34 and 36 of the ball valve 24 described above. The shape and position of these holes may vary, but it correspond to any of the various openings that are in the previous ball-type valves with similar movements drive.

The present invention is also particularly suitable for providing a 324 ball valve that includes a anti-siphon device 300. Two embodiments are shown in the Figures 13 and 14. In both embodiments, upper section 99 of the ball is crossed by an opening 310. A seat 311 perforated has a plurality of openings 312. Seat 311 is adjusted around the stem 42 and has a periphery next to it collar 313 in which sits a seal 316 which leans tightly on the inside of the ball valve 24. The collar seat has an elastomeric valve disc 318 that normally close opening 312 against fluid pressure contained in the ball valve 24. However, if it occurs in the  water supply an accidental negative pressure that tends to cause a negative flow, the pressure inside the ball valve 24 is made lower than atmospheric pressure, and the disc valve 318 opens allowing air to enter the ball valve 24 through openings 310, which breaks any siphon effect on tap 29. As seen in the Figure 13, the seat 310 can be an integral part of the flanges 386 and the stem 42 has a sharp point, that is the end dihedral 382 of stirrup 380. As shown in Figure 14, the seat 311 can form the entire stirrup 380 and include both the flanges 386 and the dihedral angle 82. This embodiment it also provides the properties of self-alignment and of limited elasticity that were described with the embodiment represented in Figures 8 and 9.

When the tap is repaired, they only change those parts that really need to be replaced, usually the elastomeric seals 25, maintaining the advantage of the ease of disassembly and new assembly of the tap assembly cartridge.

The need for a large elastic ring of push regulation to press ball 24 down against Sealing elements 25 pushed by springs is eliminated. The sealing ring 98 works solely to prevent leaks between ball valve element 24 and body 56 of the cartridge. O-ring 112 works only to prevent leaks between the body 56 of the cartridge and the base element bottom 14. The vertical position of the ball valve element 24 is secured inside the body 56 of the cartridge by the pin 64 and inner stirrup 80. In addition, any element annular adjustment that was previously incorporated into the element of cap 37 to provide adequate thrust of the valve ball 24 against the sealing ring 98 (elements 49) passes to be optional This ring element may exist when rehabilitate with the cartridge 26 an old tap that included previously this ring (not shown).

In addition, the ball valve element 24 is incorporates into an easily replaceable valve cartridge 26 without need to increase the total height of the valve body 12 with respect to prior art mixing valves that incorporate ball valve elements.

In addition, the cartridge 26 can be used or reinstall in a standard base 14 previously equipped with a prior art ball valve, provided that the valve ball has some entrances and an exit of suitable design.

In addition, this invention eliminates the need for manufacture the stems of square or rhomboidal section that they needed for certain ball drive mechanisms and provides the necessary control stops on the valve itself ball.

In this way, a valve is provided ball mixer for faucets, easy to install, which can adapt to different drive movements of the ball and that can be presented in cartridge format.

Other variations and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention defined by the attached claims.

Claims (14)

1. A ball valve element (24) for a tap (10) characterized in that: said ball valve element is crossed by a first groove (60) arched and substantially located on a maximum circle of said ball valve element; a stirrup (80) is subject to a section top of said ball valve element and extends to lean on a pin (64) that can extend through said slot (60), said ball valve element being able to rotate on an axis (75) of said pin at a point at which said pin extends through said slot (60). 2. A ball valve cartridge (26) for a mixing valve (10) characterized by: a ball valve element (24) as per claim in claim 1 that it has at least one entry (32, 34) to the ball valve element and an outlet (36) of the ball valve element; a body element (56) of the cartridge that has an upper opening (58) through which a control stem (42); whose cartridge body element has a lower opening through which said element (24) of movable ball valve, said valve element being able to settle ball in the vicinity of some entry holes (18,19) and said ball valve element extending below said cartridge so that said at least one entry can be aligned or selectively misalign with said inlet holes; seated a seal (98) between said ball valve element (24) and said body (56) of the cartridge to prevent fluid flow from entering said cartridge body through said upper opening; the pin (64) being translationally fixed over said cartridge and extending through said slot (60), Y the stirrup (80) extending from said pin inside a hollow interior section of said element (24) ball valve to rest on an upper section of the ball valve element (24) and provide a support of so that the ball valve element (24) does not fall through of the lower opening of said cartridge. 3. A ball valve cartridge as defined in claim 2, further characterized in that: said cartridge body has a flange pendant (97) interposed between said upper opening (58) and said sealing gasket (98), said flange is very near said ball valve element (24) and provides a stop for the upward displacement of said element (24) of ball valve against said seal in order to control the maximum degree of compression of the gasket tightness 4. A ball valve cartridge as defined in claim 3, further characterized in that: said pin (64) is mounted on said cartridge; said pin (64) extends to the center of said inside of said ball valve element (24); said support is a stirrup (80) that rests on said pin next to the center of said pin (64) but slightly separated from it so that before a movement tilting said ball valve element (24) on an axis perpendicular to said pin, from an intermediate position of said rod to a lateral position of said rod, said stirrup lifts said ball valve element with respect to said shaft to increase the compression of said gasket of tightness between said ball valve element and said cartridge. 5. A ball valve cartridge as defined in claim 4, further characterized in that: said stirrup element (80) has an end which includes a dihedral (82) that rests on the pin (64) and lateral flanges (86) that rest diametrically on the opposite sides of the pin. 6. A ball valve cartridge as defined in claim 5, further characterized in that: said stirrup element (80) is an extension of said control rod (42) penetrating said element (24) of control valve. 7. A ball valve cartridge as defined in claim 5, further characterized in that: said stirrup element (180) is an element independent that can rotate with respect to said rod of control (42), provides the dihedral (182) and side flanges (186), and rotates until it is properly oriented so that pin can penetrate between said side flanges when install said pin in said valve element (24) of ball. 8. A ball valve cartridge as defined in claim 5, further characterized by: a seat (310) mounted around said stirrup (380) and defining a valve anti-siphonic (300) inside said element (324) ball valve communicated with an opening (310) that crosses an upper section of said ball valve. 9. A ball valve cartridge as defined in any of claims 4 to 6, further characterized in that: said ball valve element (24) has a second groove (60) arched and diametrically opposed to said first slot; said pin (64) extends through both grooves (60) first and second and is seated at both ends opposite (66) in said cartridge body. 10. A ball valve cartridge as defined in claim 9, further characterized in that: said pin (64) has circular section for provide a relative rotation of the valve element (24) of ball with respect to the body (56) of the cartridge on the shaft (75) of the Barrette. 11. A ball valve cartridge as defined in claim 10, further characterized in that: said slots (60) are on a maximum circle that defines an inclined plane with respect to the control rod (42) and with a normal axis that is perpendicular to said pin (64) so that said valve element (24) of ball can move in two directions, being one of the directions  on said normal axis and the second direction being on the axis of said pin. 12. A ball valve cartridge as defined in claim 10, further characterized in that: said slots (60) are on a maximum circle that defines a normal plane to the control rod (42) so that said ball valve element (24) can move in two directions, being one of the directions on a central axis of said rod and being the second direction on the shaft (75) of said pin. 13. A mixer valve for taps having a ball valve element (24) according to claim 1 mounted on a body (14) defining a cover element (16), said body having a plurality of inlet holes (18 , 19) and an outlet port (20) in fluidic communication with said cavity, said ball valve element cooperating with said inlet holes to control the flow rate and temperature of the mixed liquid flow passing through said holes, said valve body being traversed through a control opening (40), said ball valve element having a control rod (42) connected thereto extending through said control opening to a cover element (16), whose mixer valve for faucets is characterized by: said cover element (16) has a seat of tightness (94) located around said opening of control; a seal (98) is seated in said sealing seat located around said opening upper and leans tightly on said valve element mobile ball; Y said pin (64) extends inside said ball valve element. 14. A mixer for taps having a ball valve cartridge according to any of claims 2 to 12, further characterized by: a body (14) defining a cover element (16), said body having a plurality of inlet holes (18,19) and an outlet hole (20) in fluidic communication with said cavity, said element cooperating (24) ball valve with said inlet holes to control the flow rate and temperature of the flow of mixed liquid passing through said holes, said valve body being traversed through a control opening (40), said valve element having ball a control rod (42) connected thereto extending through said control opening of the cover element (16), whose mixer tap is characterized in that: said cover element (16) has a seat of tightness (94) located around said opening of control.